His [Eminem's] song writing is unbelievable. I haven't heard any greater lyrics since 2Pac.
Let's not get it twisted. Tupac was never really what I would refer to as a great lyricist, in fact, I'd say shady eclipsed him in that category an album or so ago. Please do not forget, that Pac, born in B-more then transplanted to NY was actually not even a great rapper in the early going. I'd hardly refer to "Brenda's got a Baby", "a soldier", and "I get around" as lyrical gems. Moreover, he was a "roadie" with Digital Underground, appearing on hooks and playing the background for most of the early going. It really wasn't until he we westward [after a jail bid] that he gained acclaim. In fact, on the east he was light years behind lyricists like Rakim, KRS-one, Kool G Rap, EPMD, and the young incarnation of Big Daddy Kane circa 1988. It really wasn't until Pac brought mediocre to good lyrics [by east coast standards and after he tightened them up a bit before leaving NY] to the West Coast, more known for thumping beats and lacking lyrics, that Pac began to get noticed. Then add Dre, a re-kindled passion for rap, an uncanny and prolific song writing period, and Viola, you have a solid rapper with a list of songs that's miles long. But I believe, West Coast rappers not having exposure to an east coast brand of rap [from a rapper who ironically claimed the "westside" though he was actually from the heart of the east], was the perfect meeting of preparation and opportunity and Pac was no fool and took full advantage of it.
Its for these precise reasons, and others, that he's not number 1 on my list though I could see how some people could qualilfy him for that position and even make cogent arguments for that placement. But you have to understand, that Pac's lyrics really weren't that earth shattering by east coast standards and I believe had any of the guys I mentioned [e.g., Rakim who's currently with Dre, KRS-1, Kane] preceed Pac to venture to the west, he may have also experienced similar success. Though I imagine, the work ethic of pac still may have brought him greater rewards.
Best,
P